Disclosed is a method of diagnosing irritable bowel syndrome,
fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, attention
deficit/hyperactivity disorder, autoimmune diseases, such as multiple
sclerosis and systemic lupus erythematosus, or Crohn's disease, which
involves detecting the presence of small intestinal bacterial overgrowth
(SIBO) in a human subject having at least one symptom associated with a
suspected diagnosis of any of those diagnostic categories. Also disclosed
is a method of treating these disorders, and other disorders caused by
SIBO, that involves at least partially eradicating a SIBO condition in
the human subject. The method includes administration of anti-microbial
or probiotic agents, or normalizing intestinal motility by employing a
prokinetic agent. The method improves symptoms, including hyperalgesia
related to SIBO and disorders caused by SIBO. Also disclosed is a kit for
the diagnosis or treatment of irritable bowel syndrome, fibromyalgia,
chronic fatigue syndrome, depression, attention deficit/hyperactivity
disorder, autoimmune diseases, or Crohn's disease.
